Methods of vibrationally exciting a laryngeal nerve

ABSTRACT

A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient&#39;s neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/853,477, filed Apr. 20, 2020, which claims the priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/836,195, filed Apr. 19, 2019, thedisclosures of each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to human tissue stimulation and inparticular to noninvasive vibration on the neck overlying the larynx toexcite the laryngeal nerve to augment or reestablish swallowing controlduring rehabilitation of patients with dysphagia, and to treat voicedisorders affecting the function of the laryngeal system, such asspasmodic dysphonia, and to treat chronic cough.

Dysphagia is a major swallowing disorder that effects the centralnervous system, and the peripheral nervous system, thereby weakeningneuromuscular control and effectively reducing the ability to properlyswallow. Dysphagia may occur at any time across the lifespan. Thisimpairment has many potential causes, including but not limited toneurologic disorders, degenerative disease processes, and anatomicalchanges. Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty swallowing, impairedability to protect the airway during swallowing (penetration andaspiration), and impaired ability to transport a bolus of food or liquidfrom the mouth to the stomach. These difficulties may contribute to arisk for respiratory complications (pneumonia), dehydration,malnutrition, and may restrict social eating. Because of these negativeimpacts, it also may significantly impact quality of life for anindividual.

An occasional cough is normal in that it helps to clear irritants andsecretions from the lungs; however, when a cough lasts longer than eightweeks in adults and begins to interfere with daily functions, such assleep and bladder control, then it may be diagnosed as a chronic cough.In children, this diagnosis may occur after four weeks of coughing.Chronic cough occurs in the upper airway of the respiratory system, andthe condition may be caused by co-morbidities, such as asthma,post-nasal drip, or reflux. However, the mechanism is unknown. The coughreflex may be impaired by a disease condition that weakens the coughwhich could lead to muscle weakness or paralysis, or it may be secondaryto laryngeal nerve involvement.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a disorder that may occur with neurologicaldisorders or disease processes that impact laryngeal function andmuscles of the voice. This disorder of the laryngeal system causes themuscles involved in voicing to periodically spasm, triggering increasedtension and a distortion of the voice. The spasms cause interruptionsand breaks in the voice. Causes of spasmodic dysphonia are unknown butmay relate to such processes as anxiety, infection, or direct injury tothe larynx. It is more common in women and occurs most often between theages of 30-50 years.

Any neurologic disease or process that impacts laryngeal function maynegatively impact swallowing, voicing, and airway functions such ascough and throat clear, or any function that originates within orrequires function of the laryngeal system. Various functions within thelaryngeal system occur due to stimulation of the afferent pathways whichtransmit impulses to the brain and are then interpreted forcommunication with the efferent system for movement. Current treatmentfor an impairment or changes of laryngeal function that is caused byvarious neurological disorders or laryngeal injury are typicallylong-term behavioral therapy or invasive treatment with the injection offoreign materials or medications into the muscles, nerves, or tissues ofthe larynx. However, various disorders, such as dysphagia, chroniccough, and voicing disorders, may be improved by innervation of theafferent system within the larynx including the branches of the vagusnerve, such as the recurrent laryngeal, superior laryngeal, andpharyngeal branches, and vibration is known to relax muscles and toprovide stimulation to tissues being innervated offering an alternativetreatment.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,561 describes a vibrotactile stimulator having aband 101 worn around a patient's neck and including a vibrator 102positionable over the larynx to provide stimulation generally centeredon the patient's neck. The vibrator 102 is an electric motor spinning anoffset weight. While the '561 patent provides a potential method foraddressing dysphagia, there remains a need for improved dysphagiatherapy devices.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing avibrating laryngeal nerve exciting device which includes a collarholding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve excitersagainst a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulatethe branches of the vagus nerve, such as the recurrent laryngeal,superior laryngeal, and pharyngeal branches. At least one exciter, andpreferably two exciters, provide vibrations preferably adjustablebetween 30 Hz and 200 Hz and more preferably between 70 and 110 Hz andsufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve, for example, apressure of 2-4 kpa or a vibration amplitude of 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm. Theexciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neckband partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA) device and software which wirelessly connects,monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treatdysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is providedsoftware (e.g., a smartphone application) which wirelessly connects andtriggers the device, for example, through a Bluetooth® protocol. Thesoftware sets the frequency of the device, intensity, therapy time,vibration time, duration of rest period between vibration, and allowsfor patients to provide feedback about the therapy. A general state ofhealth section allows the patient to diary how the patient is feelingbefore and after the therapy. The software allows clinicians to monitorthe patient's progress. The clinician can see the device settings(frequency of the device, intensity, therapy time, vibration time,duration of rest period between vibration), number of uses, whethertherapy was completed, and the patient's feedback diary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a laryngeal nerve exciter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of the laryngeal nerve exciter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 1C shows a rear view of the laryngeal nerve exciter according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an end effector of the laryngeal nerve exciter according tothe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a laryngeal nerveexciter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a neckband laryngeal nerve exciter according to the presentinvention on a patent.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the neckband laryngeal nerve exciteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the neckband laryngeal nerve exciteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a nerve exciter of the neckband laryngeal nerve exciteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an adhesive pad of the neckband laryngeal nerve exciteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a laryngeal nerve exciting system according to the presentinvention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one ormore preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the inventionshould be determined with reference to the claims.

Where the terms “about” or “generally” are associated with an element ofthe invention, it is intended to describe a feature's appearance to thehuman eye or human perception, and not a precise measurement.

A front view of a laryngeal nerve exciter 10 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1a , a top view of the laryngeal nerveexciter 10 is shown in FIG. 1B, and a rear view of the laryngeal nerveexciter 10 is shown in FIG. 1C. The laryngeal nerve exciter 10 includesa bridge 12, an exciter 14, effector sleeves 16, end effectors 18, strapslots 20, and a strap 22. The exciter 14 is preferably a solenoid or avoice coil, or any device capable of generating vibrations at variousfrequencies, for example, vibrations between 30 and 200 Hz andpreferably between 70 and 110 HZ and sufficiently strong to reach thelaryngeal nerve for example, a pressure of 2-4 kpa or a vibrationamplitude of 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm.

The end effector 18 of the laryngeal nerve exciter 10 is shown in FIG.2. A force sensor 24 resides under each end effector 18 and providesforce information to allow adjusting the tightness of the strap 22.

A top view of a second embodiment of a laryngeal nerve exciter 30 isshown in FIG. 3. The laryngeal nerve exciter 30 includes end effectors18 a held inside sleeves 16 a and springs (or a resilient material) 34holding the end effectors 18 a against transducers 32. An adjust screw36 presses the transducer 32 and end effector 18 a against the spring 34allowing adjustment of the end effectors 18 a against the patient's neckwithout adjusting the strap 22. The transducers 32 may both vibrate theend effectors 18 a to stimulate the laryngeal nerve and may sense apatient's attempt to swallow, and may sense stimulation by the other endeffector 18 a. The laryngeal nerve exciter 30 may include the forcesensor 24 under the effector 16 a. In another embodiment, the endeffectors 18 a may be fixedly attached to the moving part of thetransducers 32 and no spring 34 is required.

FIG. 4 shows a neckband laryngeal nerve exciter (neckband trainer) 42 ona patient 40. The neckband trainer 42 does not press against thepatient's throat providing greater comfort for the patient. Two exciters44 are pressed against sides of the neck. The exciters 44 preferablyreceive up to 10 Watts (five Watts per exciter). The neckband trainer 42provides pressure to the area where the exciters 44 contact the neck.The force of the exciters 44 against the neck is measured and an alarmis generated if the force exceeds a threshold.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the neckband trainer 42 and FIG. 6 shows aperspective view of the neckband trainer 42. The neckband trainer 42includes the exciters 44, a circuit 46, and battery compartments 48 and50. The neckband trainer 42 includes a charging port for chargingbatteries and is adjustable for individual patients.

FIG. 7 shows a nerve exciter 44 of the neckband laryngeal nerve exciter.

FIG. 8 shows an adhesive pad 52 of the neckband trainer 42. The adhesivepad 52 comprises a top adhesive pad 54, a plastic snap 56, and a bottomadhesive pad 58. The exciter 44 snaps onto the adhesive pad 52 to retainthe exciter 44 against the patient's neck.

A laryngeal nerve exciter system 60 is shown in FIG. 9. The system 60utilizes a software Application (App) residing in a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) 64 which triggers, and monitors the neckband trainer 42through a Bluetooth® interface 62. The interface 62 may includefrequency, intensity, therapy time, vibration time, duration of restperiod between vibration, and allows for patients to provide feedbackabout the therapy.

The PDA 64 may communicate with a secure server 68 through the Internetor any other suitable connection including wireless or wired connections66 providing signals include frequency, intensity, therapy time,vibration time, duration of rest period between vibration, cliniciancalibration, and allows for patients to provide feedback about thetherapy.

The secure server 68 may communicate with a work station 72 over theInternet or any other suitable connection including wireless or wiredconnections 70 providing signals include frequency, intensity, therapytime, vibration time, duration of rest period between vibration, andclinician calibration, and allows for patients to provide feedback aboutthe therapy to the clinician.

The App may set the frequency of the neckband trainer 42, intensity,therapy time, vibration time, duration of rest period between vibration,and allows for patients to provide feedback about the therapy.Measurements made by the neckband trainer 42 (e.g., force measured bythe exciters) may be provided to the PDA 46 via the Bluetooth®connection. Further, the system 60 may allow clinicians to monitor thepatient's progress. The clinician will be able to see the devicesettings, frequency of the device, intensity, therapy time, vibrationtime, duration of rest period between vibration, number of uses, whethertherapy was completed, and the patient feedback. A general state ofhealth section for the patient may be provided to indicate how thepatient is feeling before and after the therapy. The PDA 64 may be asmart phone.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of vibrationally exciting a laryngealnerve to treat at least one of a swallow disorder, a voice disorder, orchronic cough, the method comprising: providing a laryngeal nerveexciter system comprising: a neckband, the neckband comprising a firstfree end and a second free end opposing each other to form an openfront, the neckband being flexible to accommodate necks of differentsizes, a first transducer extending from the first free end of theneckband, the first transducer comprising a first surface coupled to thefirst free end of the neckband and a second surface opposing the firstsurface, a second transducer extending from the second free end of theneckband, the second transducer comprising a first surface coupled tothe second free end of the neckband and a second surface opposing thefirst surface of the second transducer, a first nerve effectoroperatively coupled to the first transducer, the first nerve effectorcomprising a first end coupled to the second surface of the firsttransducer and a second end opposing the first end, and a second nerveeffector operatively coupled to the second transducer, the second nerveeffector comprising a first end coupled to the second surface of thesecond transducer and a second end opposing the first end of the secondnerve effector; coupling first and second adhesive pads respectively tothe first and second nerve effectors, each of the first and secondadhesive pads comprising a first surface coupled to the second end ofthe first or second nerve effector and a second surface opposing thefirst surface of each adhesive pad, the second surfaces of the first andsecond adhesive pads being adhesive; placing the neckband at leastpartially around a neck of a patient; moving the neckband such that thefirst and second adhesive pads are respectively positioned against firstand second portions of the patient's neck different from each other andthe open front of the neckband exposes the patient's throat and thesecond surfaces of the first and second adhesive pads fix positions ofthe neckband by adhering to the skin of the patient; vibrationallyexciting the laryngeal nerve of the patient to treat at least one of aswallow disorder, a voice disorder, or chronic cough, the vibrationallyexciting including generating vibration, by the first and secondtransducers, and conducting, by the first and second nerve effectors,the generated vibration to the patient's neck; measuring, by first andsecond force sensors, force of the first and second nerve effectorsagainst the first and second portions of the patient's neck; andgenerating an alarm in response the measured force exceeding athreshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated vibration tothe patient's neck induces swallow.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe generated vibration to the patient's neck induces speech.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises snapping the first andsecond adhesive pads respectively into the second ends of the first andsecond nerve effectors.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of thefirst and second adhesive pads comprises: a top adhesive pad coupled tothe second end of the first or second nerve effector; a bottom adhesivepad configured to directly contact the first or second portion of thepatient's neck; and a snap interposed between the top and bottomadhesive pads.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the first andsecond adhesive pads respectively to the first and second nerveeffectors comprises snapping protrusions extending through apertures inthe top adhesive pad into the second ends of the first and second nerveeffectors.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving by thefirst and second transducers up to 10 Watts prior to generating thevibration.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the laryngeal nerve excitersystem further comprises an electrical circuit disposed in a sideportion of the neckband and electrically connected to the first andsecond transducers, and wherein the method further comprises wirelesslycommunicating, via the electrical circuit, data with a personal digitalassistant.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the data comprises at leastone of frequency, intensity, therapy time, vibration time, or durationof rest period between vibration.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thepersonal digital assistant is wirelessly connected to a secure sever anda healthcare provider's computer, and wherein the method furthercomprises: communicating the data, by the personal digital assistant,with the secure server via a first communication network; communicatingthe data, by the secure server, with the healthcare provider's computervia a second communication network; and monitoring, by the healthcareprovider's computer, a treatment progress of the patient.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the data further comprises one or more of number ofuses, whether therapy has been completed, or the patient's feedback, andwherein the method further comprises providing a general state of healthsection for the patient to indicate how the patient is feeling beforeand after the therapy.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the laryngealnerve exciter system further comprises a battery compartment disposed ina middle portion of the neckband and accommodating a battery, andwherein the middle portion of the neckband is thicker than the sideportion of the neckband.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstand second transducers each extend from the first or second free end ofthe neckband in a direction forming an obtuse angle with respect to thefirst or second free end of the neckband.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the first and second adhesive pads is disposed to forman acute angle with respect to the first or second free end of theneckband.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has dysphagia,and wherein the method comprises inducing, by stimulating the laryngealnerve of the patient, swallow by the patient.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the patient has spasmodic dysphonia, and wherein the methodcomprises inducing, by stimulating the laryngeal nerve of the patient,speech by the patient.
 17. A method of vibrationally exciting alaryngeal nerve to treat at least one of a swallow disorder, a voicedisorder, or chronic cough, the method comprising: providing a laryngealnerve exciter system comprising: a neckband, the neckband comprising afirst free end and a second free end opposing each other to form an openfront, the neckband being flexible to accommodate necks of differentsizes, a first transducer extending from the first free end of theneckband, the first transducer comprising a first surface coupled to thefirst free end of the neckband and a second surface opposing the firstsurface, a second transducer extending from the second free end of theneckband, the second transducer comprising a first surface coupled tothe second free end of the neckband and a second surface opposing thefirst surface of the second transducer, a first nerve effectoroperatively coupled to the first transducer, the first nerve effectorcomprising a first end coupled to the second surface of the firsttransducer and a second end opposing the first end, and a second nerveeffector operatively coupled to the second transducer, the second nerveeffector comprising a first end coupled to the second surface of thesecond transducer and a second end opposing the first end of the secondnerve effector; placing the neckband at least partially around a neck ofa patient; moving the neckband such that the first and second nerveeffectors are respectively positioned against first and second portionsof the patient's neck different from each other and the open front ofthe neckband exposes the patient's throat; vibrationally exciting thelaryngeal nerve of the patient to treat at least one of a swallowdisorder, a voice disorder, or chronic cough, the vibrationally excitingincluding generating vibration, by the first and second transducers, andconducting, by the first and second nerve effectors, the generatedvibration to the patient's neck; measuring, by first and second forcesensors, force of the first and second nerve effectors against the firstand second portions of the patient's neck; and generating an alarm inresponse the measured force exceeding a threshold.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: prior to the placing, coupling first andsecond adhesive pads respectively to the first and second nerveeffectors, each of the first and second adhesive pads comprising a firstsurface coupled to the second end of the first or second nerve effectorand a second surface opposing the first surface of each adhesive pad,the second surfaces being adhesive; and moving the neckband such thatthe second surfaces of the first and second adhesive pads fix positionsof the neckband by adhering to the skin of the patient.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein each of the first and second adhesive pads isdisposed to form an acute angle with respect to the first or second freeend of the neckband.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the neckbandcomprises a middle portion accommodating a battery, and first and secondside portions respectively accommodating first and second electricalcircuits electrically connected to the battery, and the first and secondtransducers.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:communicating data, by the first and second electrical circuits, with apersonal digital assistant, wherein the data comprises at least one offrequency, intensity, therapy time, vibration time, duration of restperiod between vibration, number of uses, whether therapy has beencompleted, or the patient's feedback.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising: communicating the data, by the personal digitalassistant, with a secure server via a first communication network;communicating the data, by the secure server, with a healthcareprovider's computer via a second communication network; and monitoring,by the healthcare provider's computer, a treatment progress of thepatient.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing ageneral state of health section for the patient to indicate how thepatient is feeling before and after the therapy.
 24. The method of claim17, wherein the first and second transducers each extend from the firstor second free end of the neckband in a direction forming an obtuseangle with respect to the first or second free end of the neckband. 25.A method of vibrationally exciting a laryngeal nerve to treat at leastone of a swallow disorder, a voice disorder, or chronic cough, themethod comprising: providing a laryngeal nerve exciter systemcomprising: a neckband, the neckband comprising a first free end and asecond free end opposing each other to form an open front, the neckbandbeing flexible to accommodate necks of different sizes, a transducernon-linearly extending from the first or second free end of theneckband, the transducer comprising a first surface coupled to the firstor second free end of the neckband and a second surface the firstsurface, a first nerve effector, the first nerve effector comprising afirst end operatively coupled to the second surface of the transducerand a second end opposing the first end, and a second nerve effector,the second nerve effector comprising a first end operatively coupled tothe second surface of the transducer and a second end opposing the firstend of the second nerve effector; placing the neckband at leastpartially around a neck of a patient; moving the neckband such that thefirst and second nerve effectors are respectively positioned againstfirst and second portions of the patient's neck different from eachother and the open front of the neckband exposes the patient's throat;and vibrationally exciting the laryngeal nerve of the patient to treatat least one of a swallow disorder, a voice disorder, or chronic cough,the vibrationally exciting including generating vibration, by thetransducer, and conducting, by the first and second nerve effectors, thegenerated vibration to the patient's neck.
 26. The method of claim 25,further comprising: measuring, by first and second force sensors, forceof the first and second nerve effectors against the first and secondportions of the patient's neck; and generating an alarm in response themeasured force exceeding a threshold.
 27. The method of claim 25,further comprising: prior to the placing, coupling first and secondadhesive pads respectively to the first and second nerve effectors, eachof the first and second adhesive pads comprising a first surface coupledto the second end of the first or second nerve effector and a secondsurface opposing the first surface of each adhesive pad, the secondsurfaces being adhesive; and moving the neckband such that the secondsurfaces of the first and second adhesive pads fix positions of theneckband by adhering to the skin of the patient.
 28. The method of claim27, wherein each of the first and second adhesive pads is disposed toform an acute angle with respect to the first or second tree end of theneckband.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and secondtransducers each extend from the first or second free end of theneckband in a direction forming an obtuse angle with respect to thefirst or second free end of the neckband.
 30. The method of claim 25,wherein the transducer comprises: a first transducer extending from thefirst free end of the neckband and operatively coupled to the first neveeffector; and a second transducer extending from the second free end ofthe neckband and operatively coupled to the second neve effector.